Much of California’s Colorado River water is used for agriculture

Water use in millions of acre-feet

A diagram shows how much Colorado River water goes to agricultural versus other uses. The Imperial Irrigation District uses the vast majority.

Tribes 0.03

Palo Verde Irrigation District 0.35

Imperial Irrigation District 2.5

Agriculture

California’s share of

Colorado River use

4.1 million acre-feet

Coachella Valley Water District 0.35

Metropolitan Water District 0.82

Cities

A diagram shows how much Colorado River water goes to agricultural versus other uses. The Imperial Irrigation District uses the vast majority.

Tribes 0.03

Palo Verde Irrigation District

0.35

Agriculture

Imperial Irrigation District

2.5

California’s share of

Colorado River use

4.1 million acre-feet

Coachella Valley Water District

0.35

Metropolitan Water

District

0.82

Cities

Figures show 2020 water use. The Bureau of Reclamation lists water use in categories including agricultural and municipal/industrial. In some cases, local agencies use water for both purposes.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Sean Greene LOS ANGELES TIMES